Pakistan has firmly rejected Indian media claims alleging the removal of a clause from its passport that prohibits travel to Israel. In a statement on Friday, the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting dismissed the reports as “completely baseless and laughable,” emphasizing that no such proposal has ever been discussed or considered by the government.
The clarification came after Indian channel Republic TV falsely reported that Pakistan had removed the “not valid for travel to Israel” clause and was preparing to send 20,000 troops to Gaza under Western and Israeli supervision. Islamabad has already denied both claims, calling them deliberate misinformation.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs reiterated that Pakistan’s passport remains unchanged and continues to state clearly: “This passport is valid for all countries of the world except Israel.” The Directorate General of Immigration and Passports also confirmed the clause’s continued presence and authenticity.
“Pakistan has never recognized Israel, and there is absolutely no question of military cooperation,” the information ministry stated. “Our support for the Palestinian people’s right to self-determination is firm, principled, and unwavering.” The ministry further highlighted that no credible regional or international outlet had picked up Republic TV’s story, calling it fabricated and unserious.
Labeling the report as another example of “toxic propaganda” by Indian media, the ministry said Pakistan would not be distracted by such tactics. “We will continue to speak the truth and stand by justice, peace, and the rights of the Palestinian people,” it added.
Earlier this month, the Directorate General of Immigration and Passports announced a revamp of Pakistani passports, introducing new security features and design enhancements, such as including the mother’s name and showcasing national landmarks. Officials confirmed that these updates follow modernization principles and do not alter any existing travel restrictions.
